BANK TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1931, Page 2

BANK TRAGEDY

BURTON HORRIFIED. HOW MI STAKE AROSE. ! [By Telegtdph—Per Press Association) : FEILDING,. December 29. . Further particulars as to the bank ■ tragedy show that' J. , L. Burton, who fired the fatal shot, had been acting as teller at the Bank, and usually slept ion the premises. He has been in. the local, branch for . soi*e four years and is about 25 years old. He had gone to Opunake for the holidays, arranging with Bruce McCorkindale to sleep at the Bank in his place. Burton returned, as arranged, last night, but did. not think It necessary to inform McCorkindale. . The latter telephoned'the Bank at,9.45 p.m., but Burton did not reach there till 10 p.m. and Therefore missed hte call. McCorkindale searched for the door key in the secret hiding place that had been arranged, but he could not find if. He got no response to his knock, probably as! the bedroom is upstairs. He made inquiries, in the town with-a view to (ascertaining if Burton had returned. He learned nothing, and con- , eluded that Burtcn had not returned. Therefore, his (McCorkindale’s) duty was to occupy the premises. The deceased was pulling down the window when the noise awakened Burton, who seized the revoher and fired at the window. He did not know the effect of the shot till the policeman, rushing up the alley-way, in- * formed him. He found, to his liori that he had, killed .his chum. Burton, whose parents reside at Opunake, was appointed to the Feilding branch four years ago, and was a ledger keeper. ■ 'McCorkindale joined the branch at Foxton and was afterwards stationed at Woodville and then at: Feilding. He was also a ledger keeper. Burton, to-day, showing the effects of his experience, is suffering extreme distress of mind. He and the victim were the closest friends. ;